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How to increase milk yield and fat percent of a dairy cow/buffalo?

The milk yield and fat percentage is based on genetic potential of a buffalo or a cow. You cannot increase the milk yield beyond it’s genetic potential. But most dairy farmers in India, do not even get the actual potential milk yield from their dairy animals. The primary reason for this malnutrition as well as the dairy cattle are put into various stress factors.

So the easiest way to increase the milk yield to address the nutritional requirements as well as address the stress factors.

Address Nutritional Factors

  • Provide 20 to 25 kgs of green fodder. Don’t just provide only one variety of green fodder – try  to mix legumes such as hedge lucerne, cow pea along with regular fodder such as C04, Sorghum, etc. Chaff the green fodder – this will increase the nutritional intake as well as reduce wastage.
  • Provide 10 kgs of dry fodder. It is advised to provide dry fodder after evening milking.
  • Provide 4 kgs of concentrate feed – increase this quantity for high milkers. Don’t use just 1 variety of dhana – try to mix 1 oil cake such as cotton seed cake, groundnut cake or whatever locally available, 1 grain as maize powder and 1 husk such as black gram husk, paddy husk, etc. Soaking this overnight will ferment the feed and increase the nutritional intake.
  • Provide 50 grams mineral mixture – this is very important. If you do not provide provide mineral mixture it will result in micro-nutrient deficiency which will decrease milk yield as well cause reproductive issues.
  • Provide 30 liters of hygienic/clean water.

Address Stress Factors

  • Follow exact routine everyday.
  • Wash the animals twice a day.
  • Make sure the dung is cleared thrice a day.
  • Make sure the animals are not beaten or threatened.
  • Make sure there no mosquitoes in the shed.
  • Always milk at the same time and by the same person.
  • If the milker takes too long to milk the entire milk, then also milk yield will reduce.
  • Make sure to deworm the animals regularly. Worms in the stomach will drastically reduce milk yield.
  • Do not tie animals in direct sunlight. Allowing the animal to freely graze for at least few hours will increase the metabolism and also the animal will be happy – a happy animal produces more milk.
  • Buffaloes love water – if you have access to a pond, allowing them to wallow in the pond will have amazing effect and will result in longer lactation period and improve reproductive efficiency.

Basically, address all needs of a cow or a buffalo. When you do that, the cow or buffalo will give maximum milk that it can produce as well as milk fat and SNF will also increase.

What factors determine the price of a Murrah Buffalo?

Price of a Murrah buffalo depends on a variety of factors and varies from Rs 60,000 to Rs 1.3 Lakh as of 2017. I am listing few factors below which determine the price a buffalo:

  • Genetics: A Murrah Buffalo with a good heredity line is very costly.
  • Lactation Cycle: The lactation cycle also matters – usually second lactation buffaloes are preferred. A first lactation buffalo giving more milk will sell for higher price because it’s yield will be even more better in second lactation. A fourth lactation buffalo which gives the same milk as second will sell for a lesser price.
  • Milk Yield: The yield at the time of purchase and projected/recorded yield per lactation will affect the price.
  • Structure: The size, structure and shape of the buffalo also differentiates the price. A well built Murrah Buffalo with good height, heavy frame, good udder and tightly curved horn will sell for a higher price.
  • Time of purchase: The season of purchase also makes a difference – winters are cheaper as most animals give birth during that time and summer months are costlier as due to low supply of buffaloes and high demand for milk products such ice cream, butter milk, etc.
  • Place of purchase: The place of purchase also makes a difference (for instance the rates are usually high in Rohtak, Karnal and Hyderabad due to high demand for Murrah buffaloes).
  • Calf Gender: The price increases if the buffalo has a female calf. Also a male calf of high yielding buffalo with good genetic line will also go for a higher price.

You need to understand that Buffaloes are animals with unique characteristics and price vary on those characteristics. Overall you need experience to choose the right buffalo and to negotiate the price. If you are new dairy farming, it is better to take an experienced dairy farmer to purchase buffaloes.

All other questions with regard to Murrah buffaloes are explained at Murrah Buffalo Questions

Bharathi Dairy Farm supplies good quality Murrah buffaloes in south India. Check this link on why you should buy Murrah buffaloes from us.